And now, the fourth and final part of The Faces They Wore.

Today, I conclude The Faces They Wore, part of Nothing Too Familiar by the Busan Writing Group. In the last part, Angelina came home with a bruise on her face. Daniel urged her to quit her night job, refusing to talk to her. After their fight, Angelina came to his bed, where they stayed together in a platonic embrace.

The Faces They Wore by TCC Edwards

Part 4 of 4

Angelina stood in the steam issuing from the open door. She had her clothes on, apparently having undressed and dressed again in the tiny space between the toilet and shower. She held a hand over her left eye. Slowly, she lowered the hand, revealing her swollen eye, stark black against her tan skin.

“Who did this?” Daniel whispered.

“The guy I stayed with before. He called me. We met.”

“And?”

“It’s fine Daniel. It’s just something he likes – he is usually careful.”

“You let him do this?”

“He pays very well.”

“Who is he?”

“Just some guy. Does it matter?”

“Yeah, I want to know where he lives.”

“And what will you do? Punch him?”

“I’ll call the fucking cops on him.”

“Then the cops will get me, too.”

“What then? What do you want me to do?”

“It’s okay Daniel. Stay away from this.”

“It is not okay. What, are you just going to keep letting this happen?”

“What if I do?”

“You can’t stay here. Not if you do this.”

Daniel stormed to his room, throwing the door open.

“Daniel, wait!”

“You want to stay? You stop.”

He slammed the door, shutting out any further protest.

The door creaked, admitting a soft light. Daniel stirred from uneasy sleep as Angelina stood silhouetted in the doorway. He made no move as she closed the door behind her and carefully sat on the bed beside him. After a moment of careful silence, he offered her more space and she slowly joined him in the bed. They embraced, their fully clothed bodies cooled by the autumn breeze through the window.

***

“It wasn’t the first time. She’s been hit before – and worse, I’m sure.”

“I know. But she can’t just use me – I’m trying to help her.”

“She doesn’t want to be helped. You’re not Prince Charming, mate.”

“She’ll do it again. Dammit, I know she will.”

“It pays the bills and keeps her fed.”

They looked out together, letting silence replace the conversation.

“Look,” Felix began after a long pause, “Been meaning to tell you – I’m going back to Brisbane.”

“Why?”

“Dad’s in the hospital – he had a stroke.”

“Holy shit!”

“Hey, now – I don’t want you all worried. He’s holding up, for now. My contract is up soon – I need to help my family prepare, just in case.”

“I’m sorry to hear …”

“Please. It’s all right, Daniel.”

“Still, damn.”

“No kidding.”

A long moment passed before Daniel spoke again.

“You think I can get in?”

“The boss already approves – your interview will be just a formality.”

“I don’t know what to say. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

***

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, but it means that I have to move. So what about you?”

“Ah. I wanted to tell you – I might also move.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know yet. I called a lot of friends after … our night together. I will try to find different work.”

“Really?”

“Daniel, I cannot promise anything. If a client pays well…”

“Seriously, you’d do it again?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

“You must have saved up some money by now. Why sell yourself?”

“It’s just a job for me. There is somebody …”

She looked away, but Daniel gently clasped her face in his fingers, turning her eyes back to his.

“Who?”

“My grandmother. She’s very old – she has no one else.”

“Really? What about the rest of your family?”

Angelina shook her head, “My mother died when I was small. I’ve never met my father.”

“That’s awful. How is your grandma? She’s sick?”

Angelina nodded. “She has to stay in the hospital. She has no insurance.”

Unable to think of any sufficient reply, Daniel hugged her, their tension at last giving way in the long embrace.

Hours later, they were both awake, again lying clothed on Daniel’s bed.